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14/2012 - News release

Lord Neuberger to be sworn in as new Supreme Court President

1 October 2012

Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury will be sworn in as the new President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom later this morning (Monday 1 October), taking his seat as the most senior judge in the UK.

Lord Neuberger becomes the second President of the Supreme Court since it was opened by Her Majesty the Queen in October 2009 to replace the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords.

Since then, as well as adjudicating on around 120 cases each year, the Supreme Court has welcomed a total of almost 200,000 visitors and nearly 900 educational groups. It has been an international pioneer, as it is one of the few senior appeal courts providing press summaries of judgments, broadcasting of court proceedings and updates through social media.

Lord Neuberger stepped down as Master of the Rolls to take on the job as the UK's top judge, following the retirement of Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers.

Lord Neuberger said: "It is a great honour to have been asked to lead the UK Supreme Court, which is rightly respected throughout the world for the quality of its decision making. It has also been forging a reputation for accessibility and transparency, welcoming many visitors and providing public information about the work of the Justices and summaries of cases being heard.

"I welcome the opportunity to work with the other Justices of the Supreme Court, to continue developing relationships with colleagues around the UK, to serve all parts of the Kingdom, and to maintain the independence of the judiciary as one of the foundations of a stable, safe and prosperous society based on the rule of law."

Today's simple ceremony begins at 10.30am and involves Lord Neuberger taking the Judicial Oath and the Oath of Allegiance. The ceremony will be attended by the other Justices of the Supreme Court, also dressed in their black ceremonial brocade robes embroidered with gold, as well as friends, family and other guests.

Lord Hope, Deputy President of the Supreme Court, will conduct the ceremony, before Lord Neuberger shakes hands with each Justice in turn. He will then bow to them and they in turn will bow to him.

Following the brief ceremony, the Justices will form up in the Supreme Court's entrance hall ready to process over Broad Sanctuary to Westminster Abbey for the annual service to mark the beginning of the legal year in England and Wales.

The office of President of the Supreme Court is a wide-ranging one. In addition to his judicial responsibilities, which involve appeals to the UK Supreme Court and to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the President has leadership, ambassadorial and administrative responsibilities. In particular the President is responsible for leading discussions with the Lord Chancellor over policy and resource issues that affect the Supreme Court. He may also appear before Select Committees of the UK Parliament.